Directions & Transportation

During the summer months, the Park Loop Road and parking lots at carriage road entrances can be quite crowded. Parking is permitted only in posted areas, parking lots, and established roadside pullouts. To avoid the crowds and parking issues, it's a good idea to ride the fare-free Island Explorer.

From late June through early October, it provides service between park destinations, local communities, and Bar Harbor-Hancock County Regional Airport. Regularly scheduled buses stop at destinations in the park, including campgrounds, carriage road entrances, and many trailheads. You can also flag down buses along their route. Drivers will pick up passengers anywhere it is safe to stop. Bus schedules are available visitor contact stations, and the Island Explorer website.

Getting Here

By Car

Mount Desert Island: From Boston take I-95 north to Augusta, Maine, then Route 3 east to Ellsworth, and on to Mount Desert Island. For an alternate route, continue on I-95 north to Bangor, Maine, then take Route 1A east to Ellsworth. In Ellsworth, take Route 3 to Mount Desert Island.

Schoodic Peninsula:Take I-95 north to Bangor, Maine, then take Route 1A east to Ellsworth. In Ellsworth, head north on U.S. Route 1 for approximately 17.3 miles to Hwy 186. Turn right on Hwy 186 and drive 6.5 miles. Turn left at yield sign, continue .5 miles and turn right on Schoodic Loop Road.

By Plane

Direct flights from Boston's Logan Airport land at the Hancock County Airport, 10 miles from Acadia National Park. National airlines serve the Bangor International Airport, about one hour from the park. Car rentals are available at both airports.

Park Loop Road

The scenic 27-mile (43 km) scenic loop begins at Hulls Cove Visitor Center and offers access to Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliffs, Jordan Pond, and Cadillac Mountain. An entrance station is one mile (1.6 km) north of Sand Beach on Park Loop Road. Entrance fees are required to enter any portion of the park. Most of Park Loop Road closes for the winter

Bridge clearances:

Stanley Brook Entrance: 10 feet 4 inches (3.1 m)

Sieur de Monts: 12 feet 2 inches (3.7 m)

Fabbri Picnic Area: 11 feet 6 inches (3.5 m)

Blackwoods Campground: 11 feet 8 inches (3.5 m)

Wildwood Stables: 13 feet (3.9 m)

See Also

Winter Road Access

The Park Loop Road closes annually, from Dec 1 through April 14, with spring road opening being weather-dependent. Most of the Park Loop Road, including the road to Cadillac Mountain, is closed in winter.

Two short sections of Park Loop Road remain open all year:

A scenic one-mile (1.6 km) section along the ocean: Access via Schooner Head Road, two miles (3.2 km) south of downtown Bar Harbor

GPS Coordinates

GPS users will find coordinates for many popular park locations in the chart below. All coordinates are given in decimal degrees from WGS84 datum. When using your GPS to navigate about the park, please keep these suggestions in mind.

Obey all posted signs and park regulations.

Don't blindly follow your GPS. It may know where to go but not necessarily the best way to get there (for example, some roads here are one way). An electronic device is no substitute for common sense.

Be wary of accidentally travelling on private lands in order to access public areas. This area is a patchwork of public and private lands.